Thank you to the readers who have already reviewed and sorry for the very long gap. This is a very short chapter but I promise, more on the way very soon.

Chapter Three – Hints

Ron had had a surprisingly good time at the opening. It might have had something to do with both Harry and Hermione being there. It was rare enough now that they all got to spend time together these days.

If George hadn't spent the majority of the day pestering him with cryptic comments he would have volunteered to help out again. As it was, if Ron had to hear another, "So, how's the love life?" or "How long have you and Luna been split up now?" he might have to curse his brother severely.

What was it about marriage that people felt the need to pass it on like some sort of communicable disease? He was only twenty-three for heavens sake!

Ron put it down to the war. He was sure that Harry and Ginny wouldn't have got married so quickly if there hadn't been the looming spectre of possible death hanging over them for most of their relationship. As for Hermione and George, Ron still didn't really get that, but stress had always made Hermione do strange things and you couldn't get much stranger than George.

Even more worrying was the incident at the end of the day when Hermione had said to her husband, "Well?"

George had just shrugged and said, "I tried."

Hermione had then turned to Ron and regarded him critically. "So, Ron, are you coming for lunch tomorrow then?"

Alarm bells began to ring and Ron suddenly became suspicious. "Who's going to be there?"

"Well, just us. Maybe Fred if he's not in an alcoholic coma at Lee's."

"Okay," Ron said, relieved that he wasn't being set up with some random witch. "What time do you want me?"

Hermione wasn't much of a cook but as she was Ron's friend he never pointed this out. On the other hand food was food and generally speaking that was enough to keep Ron happy. Hermione knew this and was obviously biding her time until he was well-fed and in a good mood before she got to the point.

"Right Ronald," she began.

Ron glared at her. Experience told him that any conversation where she used his full name was bound to be an unpleasant experience. "George has already interrogated me about my love life, so don't start, Hermione."

"Did you know that Lavender liked you for a whole year before you finally got together," Hermione said.

"What! Where did that come from?"

"And you like me for what, three years? Four?" Hermione was grinning now.

"Hermione, what the hell are you getting at?" Ron said angrily.

"I'm just saying that sometimes it takes a while for you to realise what's under your nose."

"Still not with you."

"You really don't know do you?" Hermione laughed. "Gabrielle likes you."

Ron snorted with laughter. "Oh, nice one, Hermione. You've been with George too long."

Hermione just flicked a knowing eyebrow.

"Oh, come on! She's just a kid," Ron said. "Not to mention part-Veela. If she liked me then I think I'd get the picture fairly quickly."

"If you say so," Hermione said in a sing-song voice but she dropped the subject. She hoped that even Ron could take a hint that large.

Ron was temporarily weirded out by that conversation with Hermione and the one he had with Harry the next day didn't help much either. They sat in Harry and Ginny's back garden in the last of the September sunshine.

"Hermione reckons Gabby fancies me," Ron said with a smile, assuming Harry would find the notion just as preposterous as he did.

"Yeah?" Harry said lunging to catch James who had just wriggled out of his grip. "Well, Hermione's usually right about these things."

Ron stared at his friend in astonishment. "You don't think it's a bit…" struggling to find the right word he pulled a revolted face.

"Fleur was eighteen when she got together with Bill. He was older than you. So no, I don't. Anyway, look at Lupin and Tonks. They were right for each other in spite of the age gap" There was a bittersweet pause as both of the them remembered the couple.

"I didn't mean that," Ron said after a moment. "I meant that she's more like a little sister. She's part of the family."

"Oh," Harry said thoughtfully. "So you don't fancy her?"

"No. I've never even thought about her like that."

"Really? Even after the whole Fleur thing? She's made of the same stuff. I would have thought she would be just your type."

Ron dimly wondered how the conversation had taken such an odd turn. "The thing with Fleur was just some Veela-induced crush. I don't get that way around Gabby."

"Bill doesn't get that way around Fleur," Harry grinned slyly. "Ever noticed that?"

Ron scowled at Harry. "You're supposed to be on my side."

"If you don't fancy her it doesn't matter, does it? I wouldn't spend too much time worrying about it, mate. Hermione's probably just taken up Gabrielle's cause. Don't get involved is my advice."

Ron thought about that. Harry was right of course. Hermione was their friend but she did have a habit of meddling if you let her. Ron resolved to take Harry's advice and gave Hermione no encouragement to continue to play matchmaker.

TBC.